TicketsSept. 5, 2008
AKRON, Ohio - Freshman Matt Bahner (West Chester, Ohio/Lakota West) scored his first career goal and redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Matt Williams (Portland, Maine/Cheverus) posted his third straight shutout to lead the University of Cincinnati men's soccer team to a 1-0 win against Wisconsin-Green Bay in the opener of the 2008 Akron Tournament at Lee Jackson Field on Friday (Sept. 5).
"We did not play our best tonight," said head coach Hylton Dayes. "But we are obviously pleased with the win."
Bahner's 53rd-minute strike marked the first goal of his collegiate career. The Lakota West grad, who scored 26 goals as a prep, was assisted by sophomore Branden Stelmak (Broadview Heights, Ohio/Brecksville-Broadview Heights), who recorded his first career helper.
The Bearcats defense again proved a tough unit to crack, posting the third straight shutout of the season and has yet to allow a goal. For the second straight match, the Bearcats faced one of the top scorers in the Horizon League in Tosaint Ricketts. Ricketts was held off the scoreboard just like all-American Michael Ferguson of Loyola (Ill.) on Monday.
"Green Bay had some dangerous attacking players," said Dayes. "Late in the game we did a good job containing them defensively."
Willaims made four more saves to run his personal shutout streak to 296 minutes dating to last season. He has made 13 saves through the first three matches of the season.
The win marked the first in the series for the Bearcats. Green Bay had held a 2-0-0 mark against UC entering the contest.
UC will take on the host Zips, ranked No. 5/7 in the country, in the finale of the Akron Tournament on Sunday, Sept. 7 at 2:30 p.m.